Bypassing the architect?

By Thomas Gomes Bhura, Monipuripara, Tejgaon, Dhaka
6 April 2006, 18:00 PM
While going through the Independence Day messages (DS 26/3/06) from the President and the prime minister it appeared to me that the president totally bypassed the contribution of the real architect of independent Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The prime minister in her message bypassed Bangabandhu most probably by saying "all national leaders" (I hope she meant Sheikh Mujib as one of them!) after mentioning the role of president Ziaur Rahman.

The historic March 7, 1971 speech (itself) by Bangabandhu was already the declaration of independence listened by all the people of the country and followed by the declaration by Ziaur Rahman and it was made in the name of Bangabandhu to formalise it, I suppose. Colonel Ataul Gani Osmani was the Supreme Commander of the liberation forces and Major Ziaur Rahman was a Sector Commander (if I am not wrong).

The prime minister in her message was also shy of mentioning India by its name instead saying "our neighbouring country". Is not it true that India sheltered and fed 10 million (1 crore) Bangladeshi refugees and without the help of Indian army our liberation war would have been a lengthy struggle?

History is written based on facts, which cannot be altered, falsified or revised or erased from our minds, be it pleasant or unpleasant.